Sox starter allows only 2 hits in 6 innings of final rehab outing

Philip Humber apparently is ready to rejoin the White Sox's rotation Tuesday night against the Red Sox in Boston.

Humber, in his third minor league rehabilitation start, retired the final 16 batters he faced Thursday night and allowed only two hits in six innings for Double-A Birmingham in a 4-1 victory over Tennessee in the first game of a doubleheader.

Humber, who is recovering from a right elbow flexor strain, didn't walk a batter while striking out five. He threw 48 of 78 pitches for strikes.

"My breaking ball got better as the game went along, which is a good sign," said Humber, who will fly to Kansas City to rejoin the Sox.

Junior Lake led off the game with a double off Humber, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt and scoring on a sacrifice fly.

Humber is lined up to pitch the second game of the Red Sox series, following Gavin Floyd. He hasn't pitched for the Sox since June 16.

Humber was the beneficiary of the Barons' four-run first. Jared Mitchell, the Sox's first pick in the 2009 draft, singled, stole his 19th base and scored on a throwing error that accounted for two of the four runs.